AC2.3 asses how forms of punishment meet the aim

• Punishment aims to deter offenders from committing crimes by imposing consequences such as fines or imprisonment.
• Fines definition

  Sentencing Council accepts fines ar a cost effective, prompt and appropriate means of providing sanction
• Fines (limitations)


  Financial penalties can be applies disproportionately to persons lacking financial means by which to pay them= may increase likelihood of reoffdending + encourages more crime
• Financial penalty (strength)

  Handing down of fines way of showing tot he Public that certain actions are unacceptable (denunciation). E.g. covid= £10,000 fine for organising an even over 15 people= encourage public to follow the guidelines set out by gov
• Fines limitation

  Whitehead (2014) 1/4 billion pounds worth of fines had been 'administratively cancelled' people given fines couldn't be traced= not achieving deterrence or retribution
• imprisonment 


  • long prison sentences have a symbolic strong impact on society
  • aims to show offender as well as potential offenders
  • aims to show potential offenders that society disapproves of their behaviour
  • acts as a deterrent
  • committed more than one crime= can be served concurrently or consecutively
  • can be determinate (fixed period)
  • if sentence under 12 months usually realised 1/2 way through
  • longer than 12 months 1/2 prison 1/2 in community 'on license'
• imprisonment (limitations)


  prison reform trust research suggests prison does not always meet aim

  many off return shortly after being released. high recidivism rates = 48% of adults reoffend after 1 year
• imprisonment (limitation)

  high recdividsm rates therefore shows that is unsuccessful in the rehabilitation of offenders, therefore doesn't deter from reoffending
• Imprisonment (strength) 


  right realist argue the fall in crime rates is evidence of rational choice theory as potential offenders think more carefully so is successful at achieving general deterrence